April warm, dry

Press, 2 May 1985, Page 9

April warm, dry

Christchurch basked in exceptional warm, dry weather last month. Anti-cyclones were dominant and only 10mm of rain was recorded at Christchurch Airport, only 17 per cent of the average April rainfall. It was the lowest rainfall recorded there since observations began in 1944. The 12mm recorded at the Botanic Gardens was 21 per cent of the average and one of the lowest April totals since that weather site was established in 1902. Lower April rainfalls have been recorded only four

times previously, the last in 1979. Most of the rain fell on April 21, when a cold southwester during the evening brought brief strong winds, 9mm of rain, and snow on the foothills. Sunshine hours reached a record high in April. The 209 hours recorded at the airport were 39 per cent above average and the highest April total since observations began in 1949. The mean temperatures for the month were about I.sdeg. above average, with daytime temperatures

2.sdeg. and night-time temperatures o.sdeg. higher. Afternoon temperatures reached 20deg. on 14 occasions, the maximum recorded for the month being 27.4 deg. in the gardens on April 19. This was the highest April temperature since 30deg. was recorded in 1978. During the last quarter of the month temperatures were generally cooler. To date this year sunshine recorded is 217 hours above average, making the fourmonth period sunnier than any previously recorded year.